On Thursday 16th May at 2:00pm in All Saints’ Church we shall have our first ‘Purple Praise’ Service. It will be a short, simple, relaxed service followed by tea and cakes. All are welcome, especially older people and those living with dementia.

This year’s focus is on helping mothers in childbirth in one of the world’s poorest countries – Sierra Leone in West Africa.

Individual envelopes are available at the back of church if you wish to make your own donation. Also if  you are able to help with the house – to – house delivery and collection, that would be great as there are still some packs that need distributing. Again they are at the back of church.

Thank you.

On Tuesday 7th May at 7:30pm in All Saints’ Church.

Our Mothers’ Union is hosting the event this time and members from other groups in the area will be attending. It will involve a short services followed  refreshment.

Introducing two new services

PURPLE PRAISE

All Saints’ is working towards becoming a Dementia Friendly Church.

On Thursday 16th May at 2pm we will be having a short, simple and informal service, sitting around tables at the back of church.  We will sing well known hymns, listen to a reading and short talk and join in prayers. Then we’ll enjoy tea and cake together. The whole event will last an hour. Everyone is welcome, but there is a special welcome for older members of the community, and for those living with dementia and their carers.

We will also have “Purple Praise” on 20^thJune and 18^thJuly.

 

BE STILL

Life is increasingly hectic and even church services can be quite ‘busy’.  Space to be still, think, reflect and pray is something we all need. God is with us always, but it is easiest to be conscious of his presence and listen to his still small voice when we take time to be quiet.  As it says in the psalms ‘Be still and know that I am God.”

That is where I hope that our new monthly “Be Still” service will help.  Normally on the fourth Sunday of each month, at 6:30pm, there will be a quiet, reflective service with some music, words, prayers and silence.

The next one won’t be at the end of May (which is the bank holiday weekend) but instead on 2^ndJune.  This will be an extra special service to help us pray “Thy Kingdom Come” in the special 10 days of prayer between Ascension and Pentecost.

 

ANYONE FOR BOWLS?

Did you know that All Saints’ has its own bowling club?  Its known as The Grange and you can find it up the next drive along from that going up to the vicarage.

The original Grange was a big house built by Joseph Barnes in 1854.  In 1910 it was bought from the executors of the then owner, WH Hacking to be used as the Parish Church Institute.  The bowling green was just one of its assets.  The building deteriorated, especially during the war, and in 1950 it was demolished.  Land was sold off for the school playing fields, for a bungalow and finally for a new house also called the grange.  All that was left was the drive, a bit of woodland and the bowling green which continue to be held in trust.

Bowling has continued through the years and a lot has been done since 1999 to compete in the local leagues and to improve the facilities.  The season before last, 2017, saw the club win division 2 of the Hyndburn and District bowling league and division 2 of the Hyndburn and District Veterans’ league.  The bowlers are a friendly bunch who welcome new members (playing and social).

On 11^thMay I, as President of the club, am holding an open day up at the Grange, from 12:30pm.  Please come, have a look around, have some fun – learn to bowl if you’ve never done so and enjoy a brew and a piece of cake – all for £1!  You never know, you might want to join up.

Then on Friday 21^stJune we are having a church social evening at the Grange – followed by supper at Sarah and Andrew’s.  Look out for the sign-up sheets nearer the time.

For more on the club, visit their website www.spanglefish.com/AllSaintsGrangeBowlingClub/

 

WHALLEY ABBEY

Have you ever discovered or explored this special place which is only a few miles away?  The beautiful riverside grounds host the ruins of a Cistercian monastery.  Why not visit the Open Day on Monday 6^thMay between 10am and 4pm.?  Free entry to the house and grounds, guided tours, country market stalls and a celebration service at 3pm (Bring a deckchair!) Alternatively, you can visit the grounds any day for a very small admission fee and use the café run by the Autistic Society.